Autism

Goals

Recognizing that social impairments are often the greatest challenge for students with autism, the program at EDC will:

• Cultivate understanding of the social aspects of language, abstract concepts, and nonverbal communication/cues

• Foster successful peer relations and social interactions

• Promote social connections with other students in the building for brief, specified times to engage in a peer-to-peer buddy system

• Teach lifelong problem-solving skills

Overview

Using the latest evidence-based practices for instruction, social skill development, and self-management, the program provides:

• Individual and group counseling that focuses on social skills development using different approaches including, but not limited to, social stories, self-monitoring strategies, role-playing, and rehearsal

• Close monitoring of sensory and processing of information and adjust the learning environment as needed

• A team approach encouraging communication and collaboration with the parents, LEA’s, other agencies, and available autism resources.

Experiential Vocational / vaap

All EDC programs take an individualized approach to prepare each student to maximize his or her potential for independence in employment, community, and activities of daily living.

• Humanities

• Life Skills

• Culinary Arts

• EDC Entreprenuership Program

• Vocational Career Preparation

• Workshop

Goals

• Develop self-advocacy skills

• Facilitate linkages with adult service support programs and agencies

• Vocational development and job placement

Overview

• On-campus and community-based internships and opportunities

• Activities to support the development of independent daily living skills

• Community–based trips to support vocational experiences and job placement

Post-Graduate Vocational/Life Skills

Students who are eligible for a special/IEP diploma and who have not aged out of special education services may participate in this program.

Goals

• Obtaining a diploma and continuing in special education services

• Further developing education and independent living

• Building career/vocational skills

• Job matching

Overview

While on the EDC campus, students continue to develop functional reading, math and writing skills. They can select from classes or modules designed to explore career clusters and jobs, as well as independent living skills such as:

• Personal finance, including budgeting, banking, understanding wages, taxes, reading leases, credit applications, and more

• Job preparation, filling out job applications and interviewing, communication skills in the workplace, field trips to enhance job readiness skills or to explore potential jobs

• Securing insurance, and a learnerʼs or driverʼs license